TAHUNA HANDICAP PROSPECTS

Press, Volume LXXXII, Issue 24866, 4 May 1946, Page 8

TAHUNA HANDICAP PROSPECTS

TROTTING

Apart from the place-getters, ,Cathay. Ahikiwi, and Mistydale. in the Mayfield Handicap on the first day of the Forhury Park meeting, most of the remaining 14 runners did everything but trot in the early stages. Mistydale has been rehandicapped to 120 yards behind in the TQhuua Handicap to-dav, and, a solid mare, she should again finish in the mondy. She now meets Cathay on 36 yards better terms, and this should enable her to reverse the placings. Most opposition should be provided by the aged Ahikiwi, and Lutky Bill and Sure Peg are possibilities. Sure Peg is an attractive mover, and she should be benefited by her experience on the first day. Belle Header, which won two races at Greymouth recently, will also have friends, but when the totalisator closes. Sure Peg, Ahikiwi, and Mistydale will probably carry most support.

Czardas looks one of the best place propositions of the day at Forbury. Lord Brooklyn was expected to race well on the northern circuit, but he was nandicapped by leg trouble. The Oamaru Trotting Club has received large nominations for its winter meeting, and this should Ije one of the most successful country fixtures of the season. Positive was well placed for over a mile in the sprint at Forbury last week, mid he would not need to show much improvement on that form to finish in the money to-day. Caledonian Gold is rated one of the best in the improvers’ classes In the North Island. Ben Adam has been showing good form, and he should be well forward for his engagement at Ashburton to-day. Garforth, which is an acceptor for the Selma Trot at Ashburton, Is owned ahd trained by- J. Grice, Tinwald, and is a six-year-old gelding by Jack Potts from a Logan Pointer mare.

Symetra Sold Symetra was sold recently by Dr. Q. Haskins to Mr R. Kirsner, Auckland, and she will race in her new owner’s Interests at the Waikato meeting to-day. The Calumet Axworth mare has recorded three second placings and one third placing in ner last four starts, and she should not be long in winning a race in the North Island. She was taken north by A. Holmes, who will probably drive her to-day.

May Atone Driven by T. Thomson, who drove him into third place in the Intermediate Handicap at the Easter meeting. Flying Scott started quickly in the Victory Handicap at Forbury, but was passed in the first furlong by Mistydale. Once the * latter took the lead, her driver eased her up, and Rerewaka raced up to be level with Flying Scott. ’ Flying Scott appeared to be going comfortably, but he broke on the first bend andlhen galloped for nearly half a -mile. If Thcmson could get him to the lead early to-day, he would be capable of extending the field in the Railway Handicap. Turco’s Earnings Turco, which is now assessed on 4min 22sec for two miles, has earned £4770 of his total of £5913 this season. The Wrack gelding is now at the top of his form, and on his displays at the Easter meeting he would not be disgraced in Cup company. Has an Advantage Dn the first day of the Forbury Park Trotting Club’s meeting Paddy Potts and Tom Gundy started off the limit mark in thtf Beach Handicap, and Paddy Potts ran home an easy winner by two lengths. Tom Gundy, which did not have the best of luck in the running in that race, now meets Paddy Potts on 48 yards better terms in the Pacific Handicap to-day, and on his first day’s form he will be hard to beat. Returned Home After finishing in second place to Nellie Fraser in the St. Clair Handicap at Forbury last Saturday, Worthy Prince was taken home to Tinwald by C. M. Laing, and he will probably make his next appearance at the Oamdru Trotting Club’s meeting next week. The King Axworthy gelding has been racing consistently, to be placed in seven of his last eight starts, and he looks one of the best prospects in his class. Speedy Type At her first appearance this season Theabelle finished fast in third place in the second division of the Parsons Handicap at the Kaikoura Trotting Club’s meeting, and at her next start she confirmed the good impression formed of her by finishing third to Nelsonova and Sandy’s Comet in the Innovation Handicap at the New Brighton Trotting Club’s meeting. This daughter of Sandydale and Princess Thea is engaged in the Trial Handicap at the Oamaru meeting, next week, and she should prove hard to beat over the mile and a half journey. Will Win Races Checkmate proved himself to be one of the best novices seen out this season when, after losing ground at the start of the Richmond Handicap at the Greymouth meeting, he finished \%ry fast to head Golden Game on the post. The pair met again in the Domain Handicap at Forbury, where Checkmate was again slow away, but made up a lot of ground over the last half-mile to finish in third place to Golden Game and Darrington Hall. If C. S. Donald can keep him up to his field in the early stages, of the Southland Handicap, he should keep them busy over the last two furlongs. Should be Placed Mount Mellick and Blue Heaven made most of the pace in the Otarata Handicap at the Southland Racing Club’s meeting at Invercargill, but. Mount Mellick finished the better of the two, and Blue Heaven was shaded by the fast-finishing Sand Maid for second money. With a furlong less to cover in the Ohai Trot at the Wairio meeting, and with Mount Mellick missing from the field. Blue Heaven may be capable of an end-to-end win.